Improvement in fifth-wheels



M. CHRISTIANSON.

Fifth Wheels.

No.l54,2'20. PatentedAug 18,1874.

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UNITED STATES PATENT QFFICE.

MARTIN CHRISTIANSON, OF GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN.

IMPROVEMENT IN FIFTH-WHEELS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 154,220, dated August 18, 1874 application filed May 9,1874.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, MARTIN CHRISTIAN- SON, of Green Bay, in the county of Brown and State of Wisconsin, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Fifth-Wheel for Vehicles, of which the following is a specification:

Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section of my improved device taken through the line as a, 2. Fig. 2 is a top View of the same.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

The invention relates to the arrangement of elastic blocks with the tongue and socket therefor, which latter is formed on the lower plate of the] fifth-wheel, as hereinafter described.

A and B are the upper and lower plates, each of which is about two-thirds of a circle, and consists of sections of rims connected near their ends by arms a I). A flange, a is attached to the front edge of the upper plate, and is bent under the edge of the lower plate. Two parallel ribs or flanges, G and D D, on the upper plate form a seat for the bolster and reach. The two plates A B are pivoted to each other by a pin, a Flanges F on the underside of plate B form a seat for the axle. Upon the lower part of the forward part of the lower plate B are formed arms, Gr, to form aseat for the tongue, which is secured in place by a bolt, H, and the rear end of which abuts against the front rib F. Upon the opposite sides of the tongue are placed two rubberblocks, I, through which the bolt H also passes. J are braces, the forward ends of which are held by the bolt H, and the rear ends of which are held by bolts K, which pass through the ribs F and through the axle placed between said ribs.

The ofiice of the elastic blocks is to lessen the shocks or strain on thenecks of the horses, which are occasioned by the swaying of the tongue as the front wheels of the carriage pass over or encounter stones or other obstructions. They, also, to a considerable extent, relieve the harness and carriage of strain and wear.

Having thus described my invention,I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent The combination of the bolt H, rubberblooks I, braces J, and bolts K with the flanges G F of the lower plate B, substantially as shown and described.

MARTIN OHRISTIANSON. 

